Caspase-1表达和软骨细胞凋亡在骨关节炎的意义

目的观察骨关节炎（osteoarthritis,OA）关节软骨标本的Caspase-1表达和软骨细胞凋亡的程度,初步探讨两者的相关性和与OA病变程度的关系。方法选取2007年3月至2007年11月进行关节置换的OA患者的关节软骨标本26例作为OA组,男8例,女18例;髋20例,膝6例;年龄52～81岁,平均60岁。选取截肢的正常关节软骨标本10例作为对照组,男7例,女3例;年龄16～45岁,平均40岁;均排除结构性破坏。按改良Mankin病理评分进行分级,将标本分成正常软骨组0～1分（A组）即对照组;OA软骨轻度退变组2～5分（B组）、OA软骨中度退变组6～9分（C组）和OA软骨重度退变组10～14分（D组）,B～D组即OA组。分别采用HE染色和番红O/固绿染色后,采用免疫组化和TUNEL检测法,检测软骨细胞中Caspase-1的表达和凋亡细胞阳性率。结果 （1）对照组Caspase-1表达低于OA组;Caspase-1的表达与Mankin评分呈正相关;（2）对照组的凋亡细胞阳性率低于OA组的凋亡细胞阳性率;软骨凋亡细胞阳性率与Mankin病理评分呈正相关;（3）A～D组Caspase-1的表达和凋亡细胞阳性率不存在相关性。结论 （1）Caspase-1与OA发生发展有关,能反应OA软骨的病变进展程度;（2）软骨细胞凋亡是OA的可能发病机理,其凋亡率可能影响OA病程进展。

Roles of Caspase-1 expression and chondrocyte apoptosis in pathogenesis of human osteoarthritis

Objective To observe the expression of Caspase - 1 and apoptotic percentage of chondrocyte in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage and to explore the possible involvement of Caspase - 1 and chondropotosis in the pathogenesis and progression of human osteoarthritis（OA）.Methods Thirty - six femoral heads and tibial plateaus were obtained after total hip arthroplasty or amputation,through HE staining and Safranin O staining.Meanwhile,the expression of Caspase -1 and apoptotic percentage of articular cartilage cell were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis and TUNEL method.Results（1） The expression of control group was lower than OA group;the expression of Caspase - 1 was positively correlative with Mankin score.（2） The mean apoptotic cell percentage of the control group was lower than OA group,and the apoptotic percentage was positively correlative with Mankin pathological score.（3） There was no significant correlation between the mean gray of Caspase - 1 and apoptotic cell percentage.Conclusion（1） Caspase - 1 plays a certain role in the pathogenesis and progression of OA,which could reflect the severity of the OA.（2） Chondrocyte apoptosis is a possible pathogenesis in OA,and apoptotic percentage could impact the progression of OA.